Apparatus for separating and individually discharging flat articles



Apnl 7, 1970 1 G. BURKHARDT 3,504,909

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND INDIVIDUALLY DISCHARGING FLAT ARTICLESFiled May 20, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2

, Inventor.- G-isbevt ?ar6c 35; 2 Mau Hktornegs A ril 7, 1970 G.BURKHARDT 3,504,909 APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND INDIVIDUALLYDISGHARGING FLAT ARTICLES Filed May 20, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm mm B mmil II. M .8 E fi m w y m r Rm MNWJW a m? R 0% i 42 HHZOVneSS UnitedStates Patent O Int. (:1. B65h3/12, 3/46 US. Cl. 271-11 19 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for separating and discharging fiatarticles from a stack. A first separating means is arranged near asecond separating means. Conveying means having holding and drivingmean-s conveys the articles from the first to the second separatingmeans. interrogating means having first and second sensing andsignalling means is provided at the second separating means forcontrolling the operation of the first separating means. Interruptingmeans at the first separating means responds to signals received fromthe interrogating means by preventing the top article in such stack frombeing conveyed. Such interrogating means sending such signal to theinterrupting means only during a predetermined period of time and inresponse to predetermined conditions concurrently existing at the firstand second sensing and signalling means which indicate the articleaccumulation at the second separating means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatusfor separating and individually discharging flat articles, for ex ampleletters which are accumulated in a stack. In particular, the apparatusis characterized by an arrangement where the output of a firstseparating means which receives the letters in a stack is connected tothe input of a second separating means and a letter sensing system isprovided at the second separating means which controls the operation ofthe first separating means in accordance with the number of lettersaccumulated in the second separating means.

When flat articles are separated errors frequently occur in the form ofdouble discharges. The number of such errors occurring during anyseparating operation depends on several factors including theconsistency of the article, the required speed with which the separationoccurs, the sequence of article separation and the type and constructioncharacteristics of the particular separating and discharging apparatusused. For instance, the number of errors which occur are relativelyhigh, when the articles vary greatly in physical characteristics. Thisis the normal situation where mail shipments are concerned. In the caseof mail shipments, it has been found that suction-operated separatingmeans are generally more useful, whereas in the separation of articleshaving similar physical characteristics, it has been found that simplefrictional separating means are quite adequate to keep the number oferrors that occur at a minimum.

The German Patent No. 1,187,246, describes suction apparatus forseparating flat articles from a stack. This apparatus is intended foruse at a coding station in the mail separating art. The German patentdescribes an apparatus whereby articles are individually discharged intoa reading position upon an appropriate signal being received. For suchuse, it is not necessary that error occurrences be kept to a minimum.The occurrence of "Ice errors, however, should be less in such apparatusthan in mechanical separating apparatus where no suction means are used.

The German patent teaches an apparatus where two or more relativelysimple separating devices or separators, each having higher errorincidence than permissible, are arranged serially with respect to eachother. Each separator has a control element which signals theimmediately preceding separator whenever the separator at which thecontrol element is located does not have an article present. Thus, aseparating operation is established with articles separated beingdirected toward the last separator by a sequence of signals arriving atthe first and successive separators until discharge of the article atthe last separator. Each separator is normally in an inoperativeposition and is operated only when the control element of theimmediately following separator signals the absence therein of anarticle. Such as apparatus is based on the statistical principle that anerror occurring at one separator is not likely to be repeated at anotherseparator.

The above-discussed apparatus can be operated in a manner other than thedescribed intermittent discharge of articles by separate signals. Suchapparatus, however, is not quite as well suited for operations involvingcontinuous separation of articles, particularly, when it is necessary tominimize error occurrences by using individual high performanceseparators.

Moreover, in the above-discussed apparatus, considerable wear on theswitching elements is realized due to the intermittent operation of theseparators during the process. Further, the separating efficiency ofsuch apparatus is influenced by the spacing between individual articlesbeing processed and can only be as close as the actual spacing betweenthe separators. Flexibility in determining such spacing is thereforesometimes limited by the construction requirements of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toeliminate the drawbacks of the above-described apparatus and to providea device for separating and individually discharging flat articles, suchas letters, from a stack, while at the same time minimizing the numberof errors that occur during such process. In brief, the presentinvention achieves the above-stated object by providing a firstseparating means and a second separating means with the inlet end of thesecond separating means being arranged at the outlet end of the firstseparating means. An articleconveying means is provided at eachseparating means and includes holding means in the form of suctionholes. The suction holes provided at the second separating means arearranged to take hold of articles delivered to the second separatingmeans by the first separating means only after the article has beendelayed temporarily in the effective range of the second separatingmeans. Interrupting means are also provided and are disposed at thefirst separating means to prevent removal of the top article from thestack of articles there provided when certain perdetermined conditionsexist at the second separating means. Moreover, an interrogating meansis provided which includes first and second sensing and signalling meansin the effective range of the second separating means. The interrogatingmeans is so arranged that the first and second signalling meanscooperate with each other to the extent that when both emit a signalconcurrently indicating a predetermined condition at the secondseparating means, a signal is sent fro-m the interrogating means to theinterrupting means to prevent the top article in the stack from beingconveyed and processed. The signal from the interrogating means to theinterrupting means is transmitted only periodically and only within apredetermined time interval; namely, during the period of time after thetrailing edge of an article has passed the sensing range of the firstsensing means and before the leading edge of the next article hasreached the sensing range of the first sensing means. While the holdingmeans has herein been described as being in the form of suction holes,the holding means may also be in the form of appropriately disposedsuction cups or suction heads, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 shows a plan view of oneembodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

FIGURE 2 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the invention.

FIGURE 3 shows a plan view of a third embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IVIV of FIGURE 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment shown inFIGURE 1 two suctiontype separating means or separators are connected inseries. The separators contain suction troughs 1 and 2, respectively,each of which is connected to a suction source (not shown). Bothseparators have a common suction-type conveyor belt 3 which stretchesover guide rollers 4 and 5 and is continuously circulated. Thesuction-type conveyor belt 3 is provided with holding means in the formof a holding device consisting of a plurality (4 are shown) of evenlydistributed groups of suction holes 3', by means of which the toparticle of a stack 6 is taken hold of and moved. The leading edges ofthe articles thus removed from stack 6 are aligned along a wall 7. Thesuction conveyor belt 3 moves from the outlet end of the first separatorto the inlet end of the second separator over a detour loop formed byrollers 8, 9, 10, as shown. By this arrangement each of the groups ofsuction holes 3' enters the effective range of the second separatorsomewhat after the article they conveyed has done so.

At the outlet end of each of the separators, suction strippers 11 and12, respectively, of a known construction are positioned opposite thesuction conveyor belt 3. Conveying rollers 8, 13 and 4, 14,respectively, are also provided at each separator. By means of suchrollers, in cooperation with the belt 3, the articles are furtherconveyed after they leave the effective range of suction troughs 1 and2, respectively. It has been found advantageous to locate a means fordelaying the articles in the conveying path of the second separator.This means is constructed as an abutting wall 15, as shown in FIGURE 1.Articles are conveyed against the abutting wall 15 with the assistanceof a guide rail 16. A rotating brush 17 is also provided to guide theentering article.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the abutting wall 15 may be a transversely movablemember with respect to the direction of movement of belt 3. The abuttingwall 15 is reciprocated by means of an operating magnet (torquer magnet)18 in synchronism with the arrival sequence of group of suction holes3'. By such movement, it is intended that the abutting wall 15temporarily close off the conveying path upon arrival of an article fromthe first separator and then open the conveying path once more dependingon the thickness of the article and before the group of suction holes 3arrive to take hold again of the article.

At the first separator, which removes the articles from stack 6, aninterrupting means of known construction is provided which, depending onconditions of the second separating means, prevents removal of the toparticle from stack 6. The interrupting means or interrupter includesrestraining finger elements 20 which are pivotally connected to axialmember 19. The finger elements 20 are movable from an inoperative orrest position behind belt 3, above and below the same, by means of acoupling 21 and an actuating magnet 22, to an operative position Wherethe finger elements 20 restrain the top article of stack 6 and preventit from reaching the surface of the conveyor belt 3 (as shown in FIGURE1).

In addition to the foregoing, an interrogating means generally indicatedas 24 is also provided. The interrogating means 24 consists of first andsecond sensing and signalling means, 23 and 26, respectively. The firstsensing and signalling means 23 consists of a photoelectric devicehaving a generator 23' and a receiver 23". The second sensing andsignalling means 26 is also a photoelectric device and consists of agenerator 26' and a receiver 26". The outputs of the first and secondsensing and signalling means, 23 and 26, respectively, are connected toan AND-circuit in the interrogating means 24, thence to a switchingstage 25. Switching stage 25, in turn, is connected to actuating magnet22 of finger elements 20. By this arrangement, the restraining fingerelements 20 are moved when a signal is received from the interrogatingmeans that certain preconditions exist in the second separating means.

-In particular, the second sensing and signalling means 26 is soarranged with respect to the conveyor belt 3 that it senses the passingby of individual groups of suction holes 3. Upon sensing passage of thegroups of suction holes 3', to which sensing and signalling means 26 aresynchronized, a signal is sent thereby to one input of the AND-circuitof interrogating means 24. This signal is sent periodically and onlyduring that interval of time which corresponds to when an article haspassed beyond the sensing range of the first sensing and signallingmeans 23 and before the leading edge of a subsequent article has reachedthe same.

The present invention will more clearly be understood with a descriptionof how the embodiment according to FIGURE 1 operates. Let it be assumedthat no articles are present in the effective ranges of the twoseparating means and that the apparatus commences operation afterinsertion of a stack 6 into the first separating means. The restrainingfinger elements 20 are at this time in a rest position. As the firstgroup of suction holes 3 on the conveyor belt 3 enter suction trough 1,they take hold of the lead or top article of the stack 6. The article isthen moved along by belt 3, with aid of rollers 8 and 13 and rotatingbrush 17, into the effective range of the second separating means. Atthe second separating means, the abutting wall temporarily closes offthe conveying path of belt 3 and the article is delayed for a shortperiod of time by coming to rest thereagainst. The abutting wall 15 is ashort time later caused to open such path, as explained above. Meanwhilethe group of suction holes 3 have been detoured over rollers 8, 9 and 10to arrive at the second separating means after the article has reachedthe abutting wall 15. As the detoured group of suction holes 3' arrive,they move into suction trough 2 and take hold of the article once moreto deliver the same to the discharge end of the second separating meansdefined by rollers 4 and 14. The article then exits from the secondseparating means in the direction of arrow 27.

During the operation described above, the first sensing and signallingmeans emits a signal which is sent to one input of the AND-circuit ofthe interrogating means 24. Such signal continues to be sent so long asan article is sensed by first sensing and signalling means 23. Suchsignal, however, can not reach the switching panel 25 until a secondsignal is concurrently received at the other input of the AND-circuit ofinterrogating device 24 from second sensing and signalling means 26.Until both signals are thus received at the AND-circuit, the restrainingfinger elements 20 will not be actuated by a signal from the switchingpanel 25. As discussed above, the signal from the second sensing andsignalling means 26 is sent to the AND-circuit only during that periodof time when the trailing edge of an article has passed beyond thesensing range of the first sensing and signalling means 23 and beforethe leading edge of a subsequent article has reached the same. Thus, inorder for the signals from the two sensing and signalling devices tocoincide, an article must be sensed at the first sensing and signallingmeans during the predetermined period of time the second sensing andsignalling means is signalling the passing by of groups of holes 3.Until this happens, restraining finger elements will remain in a restposition and will not prevent the groups of suction holes 3' from takinghold of the next article in stack 6 and repeating the above-describedoperation.

Assuming that, in addition to the top article in stack 6, anotherarticle has been taken up and moved therewith. Such a situation ariseswhen the articles adhere so tightly to each other that, in spite of thepresence of suction strippers 11, they reach the effective range of thesecond separating means together. However, for reasons previouslydiscussed, the probabilities are that the two articles will no longer beclinging to each other after the second separating operation at suctiontrough 2. Rather, the top article will be removed by the conveying groupof suction holes 3' while the other article will remain in the effectiverange of the second separating means. Thus, after the top article haspassed beyond the sensing range of the first sensing and signallingmeans 23, the other article will still be present and sensed by sensingand signalling means 23. Hence, the subsequent signal from the secondsensing and signalling means 26 will arrive at the AND- circuit togetherwith the continuing signal from the first sensing and signalling means23 caused by the other article remaining in the range thereof. Thus,magnet 22 is actuated causing finger elements 20 to assume theiroperative position and thereby prevent the next article of stack 6 frombeing held and moved by a group of suction holes 3 which subsequentlyreach suction trough 1.

As soon, however, as the group of suction holes 3 prevented from takinghold of an article at the first sepa rator reach the range of suctiontrough 2, they take hold of the article remaining in the secondseparating means. As the next signal from second sensing and signallingmeans 26 is emitted, the first sensing and signalling means 23 will nolonger be sensing and signalling the presence of an article inconsequence of 'which the restraining fingers 20 will assume their restposition. The next article in stack 6 will then be removed and conveyedtherefrom by an ensuing group of suction holes 3'.

According to the above description, a spacing results betweenconsecutive articles which is somewhat greater than the spacing betweenthe generator 23' and receiver 23" of the first sensing and signallingmeans 23 and the position of the leading edge of an article in stack 6.It is possible, however, to provide a closer spacing between consecutivearticles within the framework of the present invention. If, for example,the distance between the first and the second separating means wereincreased, and the groups of suction holes 3 distributed over thesuction conveyor belt 3 were doubled, it would be possible to operatethe apparatus according to the invention With an additional articlebeing interposed between an article leaving the second separator and anarticle being removed from stack 6. The only result of this would bethat, in

the event of two articles being removed together from stack 6, therestraining finger elements 20 of the first separator would be in theiroperative position during more than one removal interval. Thus, a gaptemporarily occurs in the article-conveying stream, since more than oneremoval interval is required to eliminate the temporary entry of twoarticles into the second separating means.

In order to make certain that an article carried through the firstseparator by a group of holes 3' arrives at the second separator beforethe group of holes 3', a pair of article-accelerating rollers may beprovided at the outlet of the first separator in place of detouringrollers 8, 9 and 10 for the conveyor belt 3. Such acceleration rollerscould be inserted between the first and second separator atapproximately the position of roller 13.

Instead of the guide rail 16, an upright conveyor belt may also beprovided. It would also be advantageous under certain circumstances toprovide a continuously driven belt below the floor in the conveying pathof the second separating means.

Referring to FIGURE 2, an embodiment is shown which differs from that ofFIGURE 1 in that the common suction conveyor belt 28 is not frictionallydriven by rollers but rather by form-locking the belt 28 onto the guideroller 4. This arrangement can be accomplished, for instance, by an edgeperforation similar to that provided on photographic film or,alternatively, the suction conveyor belt may be constructed as asprocket band the sprockets of which engage corresponding recesses in aroller, as indicated in the vicinity of roller 4. Thus, the position ofsuction hole groups 28 of the conveyor belt 28 remains the same withrespect to the drive means and this has certain advantages.

Moreover, an abutting wall 29 is provided instead of the stationaryguide rail 16 and movable abutting wall 15. Abutting wall 29 is fixedlydisposed and a guide means, having members 32, 33 which pivot aroundshafts 30, 31, respectively, is provided at the inlet of the secondseparating means. The guide members 32, 33 are rhythmically moved backand forth in keeping with the sequence of arrival at the secondseparating means of suction hole groups 28. By this arrangement,articles delivered to the second separating means first abut againstwall 29 and subsequently are taken hold of by the suction conveyor belt28. The guide members 32, 33 are parallel with respect to each other andcan be constructed similarly to restraining finger elements 20. Theguide member 32, like finger elements 20, is caused to return to aposition behind the surface of suction conveyor 28 as the articles beingconveyed are taken hold of thereby.

The pivotal movement of guide members 32, 33 is caused by a cam 34,driven by sprocket wheels 35, 36 in synchronism with roller 4, hencewith suction conveyor belt 28. The cam 34 periodically engagesdouble-armed lever 38, which pivots around axis 37. Two levers 40 and 41are provided which engage shafts 30 and 31, respectively. The levers 40,41 are coupled to lever 38 by cou- .pling rod 39. Thus, when lever 38pivots, it causes levers 40, 41 to turn shafts 30, 31, which in turncauses guide members 32, 33 to move. A tension spring 42 exerts adownward force on coupling rod 39. The elements 34 through 42 areillustrated as broken lines since they are disposed behind the plate 43of the apparatus.

The form-locking drive of the suction conveyor belt 28, shown in FIGURE2 also makes possible a simplification of the interrogating device 24.As in the FIGURE 1 embodiment, a first sensing and signalling means 23in the form of a photoelectric device is provided as is an AND- circuit.However, in place of the photoelectric device of the second sensing andsignalling means 26, a switch element 44 is provided. The switch 44 isin synchonism with the groups of holes 28', as they occur in thecirculating suction conveyor belt 28, and is operated by a cam 25 whichis driven by a gear 35.

Finally, in FIGURE 2 there is shown another form of the interruptingmeans. In place of finger elements 20 of FIGURE 1, a pneumatic valveelement 46 is provided, which is actuated by a signal received from thefirst sensing and signalling means 23. In its inoperative position theelement 46 connects suction trough 1 of the first separator with asuction source (not shown), while in its operative position the element46 can create a normal pressure or overpressure, as required, in suctiontrough 1.

Referring to FIGURE 3, in the embodiment there shown, the two separatorsare provided with separate suction conveyor belts 47 and 48,respectively. The separate belts 47, 48 are moved by guide rollers 5, 49and 4, 50,

respectively. The rollers 49 and 4, respectively, are the drive rollersof the two separating means and include form-locking means and aresynchronized with respect to each other. The abutting wall 29, guidemembers 32, 33, as well as the interrogating means 24 including firstand second sensing and signalling means 23, and 44, 45, respectively,are similar to that shown in FIGURE 2.

The interrupting means at the first separator of this embodiment caneither be in the form of restraining finger elements 20, as in FIGURE 1,or in the form of a pneumatic valve element 46, as in FIGURE 2. However,FIGURE 3 shows yet another form of interrupting means.

This form of the interrupting means is best shown in FIGURE 4. Theroller 4 includes a shaft 51 which is driven directly by a motor 55 bymeans of a chain 52 and wheels 53, 54. The roller 49 includes a shaft 56which is driven by means of a chain 57 and wheels 58, 59. A powerengaging means or clutch 60 is positioned between chain sprocket wheel59 and shaft 56. Additional sprocket wheels 61 and 62, respectively,provide the drive for rollers 13 and 14, respectively. The clutch 60 isoperatively connected to the switching stage 25 by means of a lead 25'.Clutch 60 is so constructed that upon receiving a signal from thephotoelectric device of sensing and signalling means 23, which indicatesthe presence of an article in the second separator, it disengages thechain drive from driving conveyor belt 47 for one removal interval. Theclutch 60 is then caused once again to engage the chain drive withconveyor belt 47 and it does this in phase-correct relationship to theposition of the suction hole 48' on suction conveyor 48.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, it has been foundadvantageous to dispose a divider within the conveying path of thesecond separator. Such a divider exerts a force on incoming articles ina transverse direction to that in which such articles are beingconveyed. As shown in FIGURE 3, such a divider is in the form of a disc63 which corresponds in rotation to the direction in which the articlesare conveyed and discharged. The disc 63, which is provided withprojections 63', can not only effect the separation of articles whichtend to cling to each other but can also direct articles coming into thesecond separator against the guide member 33, which is remote from thesuction conveyor belt 43.

When two separate suction conveyor belts 47, 48 are used, as shown inFIGURE 3, it is further possible to provide a material having a highfrictional coefiicient in the form of a padding-type layer 47" or 48" ofseveral millimeters thickness in the vicinity of each group of suctionholes 47', 48, respectively. Such a layer would facilitate the taking ofthe top articles from the stack 6 of articles being separated.

It will be understood that the above description of the presentinvention is susceptible to various modifications, changes andadaptations and the same are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for separating and individually discharging relatively fiatarticles from a stack, comprising, in combination:

first means for separating such a stack of articles and having an inletend and an outlet end;

second means for separating having an inlet end and an outlet end;

means for conveying articles from said first separating means to saidsecond separating means, said conveying means including holding meansperiodically operative at said first and second separating means fortaking hold of the top article in such stack at said first separatingmeans and periodically operative at said second separating means fortaking hold of each article from said first separating means only afterthe article has been delayed momentarily while within the effectiverange of said second separating means;

interrupting means at said first separating means and responsive to asignal for preventing the top article in such stack from being conveyed;

interrogating means located at said second separating means andincluding;

(a) first means for sensing and signaling the presence of an articlewithin the effective range of said second separating means;

(b) second means for sensing and signaling actuated, periodically,during a predetermined time period defined by the passing of thetrailing edge of an article beyond and the arriving of the leading edgeof the next article into the effective range of the first sensing andsignaling means, to emit a signal which allows transmission of a signalfrom the first means for sensing and signalling to the interrupting meanduring said predetermined time period which indicates the presence of anarticle in the effective range of said second separating means wherebysaid interrupting means is caused to respond by preventing the nextarticle on top of such stack at the first separting means from beingconveyed.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means includefirst and second holding devices provided at said first and secondseparating means, respectively.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said holding devices are inthe form of suction holes.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said conveying means including atleast one endless conveyor belt and said holding means being in the formof groups of suction holes distributed over the entire length of saidconveyor belt.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said interrupting meansincludes a plurality of pivotal finger elements for restraining the toparticle in such stack, and means for moving said finger elementswhereby, upon a signal being received from said interrogating means,said moving means is actuated and said finger elements are moved from aretracted position behind said conveyor belt to an operational positionpreventing the top article in such stack from being conveyed.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said conveyor belt is commonto both said first and second separating means, first and second suctiontroughs provided at said first and second separating means,respectively, cooperatively arranged with respect to said conveyor belt,a delay loop provided in said conveyor belt between the outlet end ofsaid first separating means and the inlet end of the second separatingmeans whereby each successive group of suction holes on said conveyorbelt reaches the effective range of said second separating means onlyafter the article each group has held to the outlet end of said firstseparating means reaches the effective range of said second separatingmeans.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said interrupting meansincludes a pneumatic valve member which in its inoperative positionconnects said first suction trough to said suction source and which,upon actuation by said interrogating means, is caused to assume anoperative position whereby at least normal pressure is provided at saidsuction trough.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said second sensing andsignaling means includes a photoelectric sensor which is arranged withrespect to said conveyor belt to sense said suction holes as they passby on said conveyor belt.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein first and second suctiontroughs are positioned in the effective ranges of said first and secondseparating means, respectively, said conveying means being in the formof individually driven first and second conveyor belts provided at andcooperatively arranged with said first and second suction troughs,respectively, said suction holes being provided on both said first andsecond conveyor belts and said conveyor belts are driven according to afixed phase relationship with respect to each other, hence with respectto the groups of suction holes provided on each.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein driving rollers are providedfor said second conveyor belt and said second sensing and signalingmeans includes a switching deviceperiodically actuated by said drivingrollers.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, said interrupting means including apower transmitting means for driving said first conveyor belt, saidpower transmitting means being actuated by a signal from saidinterrogating means and responding to said signal by being disengagedfrom transmitting power to said first conveyor belt to thereby stop thesame temporarily and then being engaged once more to cause said firstconveyor belt to start again in a phase-correct relationship withrespect to the suction holes provided on said individually driven secondconveyor belt.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said first and secondconveyor belts, respectively, are provided a coating of material, havinga high coefiicient of friction, in the vicinity of said suction means.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein a dividing means is locatedin the article conveying path of said second separating means whichexerts a force transversely to the article conveying direction, onarticles reaching said second separating means.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said dividing means is inthe form of a disc having projections provided circumferentially thereonand being rotated in a direction corresponding to the article conveyingdirection.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein a delaying means ispositioned in the path of said conveyor belt at said second separatingmeans whereby articles being conveyed in the path are delayed for ashort period of time.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said delaying means is anabutting member.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said abutting member istransversely movable with respect to said conveyor belt and issynchronously reciprocated with re spect to the order in which saidgroups of suction holes on said conveyor belt are moved, whereby saidabutting member temporarily closes the conveying path of said conveyorbelt before an article arrives from said first separating means.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said abutting member isstationary and a pivotal guide means is provided near the inlet end ofsaid second separating means, said guide means being pivoted to and fromsaid abutting member synchronously with respect to the order in whichthe groups of suction holes on said conveyor belt are driven, as aconsequence of which articles reaching the effective range of saidsecond separating means, after being conveyed thereto, are first guidedagainst said abutting member and only thereafter are taken up by saidconveyor belt once more.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said guide means includestwo movable elongated members extending substantially parallel withrespect to each other and positioned so that the article conveying pathof the conveyor belt extends between them, one of said elongated membersbeing adjacent said conveyor belt and being made to abut said abuttingmember upon an article reaching the effective range of said secondseparating means and, thereafter, being made to retract behind saidconveyor belt.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,194,552 7/1965 Buchwald 27l-563,258,262 6/1966 Rehm 271-56 RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner US.Cl. X.R. 27156, 26

